Air India Crash Investigation Intensifies with Recovery of Cockpit Voice Recorder

Tue Oct 14 2025 16:50:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As investigators recover vital evidence from the crash site of Air India flight AI171, families await answers amidst an ongoing inquiry into the deadly incident.

Amid the tragic aftermath of Air India flight AI171's crash shortly after take-off, authorities have recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. These crucial devices will aid in determining the cause of the accident, which resulted in the deaths of nearly all passengers and crew members. A thorough investigation is underway, with experts from the US and UK collaborating along with Indian officials. Families of victims are facing a prolonged identification process as they grapple with their loss.

Investigators have made significant progress in the investigation of the recent Air India flight crash, having retrieved the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) essential for understanding the events leading to the accident. This chilling incident involved the London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of approximately 270 individuals, primarily passengers.

The CVR records critical audio processes from the cockpit, including conversations between pilots and audible alarms, providing insight into the last moments before the catastrophe. The flight data recorder (FDR) – which tracks key flight parameters such as altitude and speed – was also found amidst the wreckage on the previous day. Collectively known as the "black box," these devices, notable for their bright orange appearance and reinforced durability, play a pivotal role in reconstructing the sequence of events during such tragedies.

The inquiry is coordinated by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from teams from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and officials from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both American entities are involved due to the aircraft's origins. The AAIB is committed to conducting a thorough investigation, while a high-level government committee has been formed to assess the crash's causes and recommend new safety measures. This committee is expected to issue an initial report within three months.

As the investigations unfold, families affected by the crash face immense emotional turmoil. Recovery operations continue, with many still awaiting the identification of their loved ones. Over the weekend, DNA tests confirmed the identification of more than 90 victims, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, whose funeral will occur with full state honors.

Despite some progress, the identification process is proving to be a slow and sensitive task, particularly for families like that of Mistry Jignesh, who anxiously await updates about a missing niece. Jignesh expressed the despair of living in uncertainty regarding his family's fate as the search for the remaining victims persists, highlighting the deeply interconnected grief experienced by many in the wake of this tragic event.